​Subsidized child care benefits ensure high quality care for children while their parents or guardians are at work, in training, or receiving an education. Subsidized child care benefits may also be provided as part of a protective service plan to prevent abuse, neglect or exploitation. The subsidy is paid directly to the child care provider on the family's behalf. The family may have a co-payment for the child care based on their income, the number of family members and the number of family members needing services.